Memory module clamshell package

ABSTRACT

A clamshell package comprises a first portion comprising a first flange partially surrounding a first product receptacle. A first connecting member is connected to the first flange. The package further comprises a second portion comprising a second flange. A second connecting member is connected to and irreversibly separable from the second flange. The first connecting member irreversibly connects to the second connecting member when the first flange is disposed adjacent to the second flange.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of, and incorporates by reference, provisional application Ser. No. 60/664,779, filed Mar. 24, 2005, and entitled “Memory DIMM Packaging With Enhanced Security Features.”

BACKGROUND

Computer systems and other electronic devices utilize specialized memory chips to perform basic functions. The memory chips are often consolidated onto a memory module that provides the connection between the memory chips and a computer system. The memory module allows the simultaneous installation and connection of a plurality of memory chips. Many computer systems and other electronic devices are designed so that an end user can install replacement or additional memory modules in order to increase the performance of the system or replace malfunctioning modules.

Memory modules are available in a variety of configurations. Most computer systems and electronic devices are designed to operate with a specific memory module configuration that is constructed to specific manufacturer's specifications. Using memory modules that are not constructed to the manufacturer's specifications may result in inoperability of the system or significantly decreased performance. Although most computer system manufacturers provide memory modules constructed to their specifications, memory modules are also provided by a number of vendors other than the manufacturer and often constructed to lesser specifications.

It is often difficult to determine the suitability of a particular memory module based solely on the visual appearance of memory module. The difficulty in easily determining suitability has led to problems with customers receiving memory modules that are not constructed to manufacturer's specifications but may visually resemble acceptable memory modules. Thus, manufacturer approved memory modules are often shipped in packaging that helps verify the suitability of the memory module.

One problem with conventional packaging in which memory modules are shipped is that the packaging may allow for removal of a memory module and replacement with an inferior product without significantly disturbing the package. Therefore, a customer may inadvertently use an inferior product. Therefore, as can be appreciated, there remains a need in the art for memory module packaging that provides increased security and protection for the memory modules disposed therein.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A clamshell package comprising a first portion comprising a first flange partially surrounding a first product receptacle. A first connecting member is connected to the first flange. The package further comprises a second portion comprising a second flange. A second connecting member is connected to and irreversibly separable from the second flange. The first connecting member irreversibly connects to the second connecting member when the first flange is disposed adjacent to the second flange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an open clamshell package constructed in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the open clamshell package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an end view of the clamshell package of FIG. 1 shown in a closed position;

FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of the clamshell package of FIG. 1 in a closed position; and

FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of the clamshell package of FIG. 1 with tabs removed.

NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, computer companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect connection via other devices and connections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion is directed to various embodiments of the invention. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used, as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to intimate that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate clamshell package 10 comprising first portion 12 and second portion 14, which are connected by foldable hinge 16. First portion 12 comprises a recessed product receptacle 18, flange 20, tabs 22, and connecting members 24. Second portion 14 comprises a corresponding raised product receptacle 26, flange 28, tabs 30, and connecting members 32.

Tabs 22 and 30 are irreversibly separable from flanges 20 and 28, respectively, via perforations 34. Perforations 34 may be a series of holes, slots, cuts, or other features that provide an irreversibly separable connection between the tabs and their respective flanges. The edges of flanges 20 and 28 are radiused at the points 38 where perforations 34 intersect the edges.

Product receptacles 18 and 24 may further comprise integral ridges 36 or other features sized and arranged so as to secure a product within the receptacles. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, integral ridges 36 of receptacles 18 and 24 support the insertion of two dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs). Other embodiments may comprise receptacles, internal ridges, and other features sized so as to accept any desirable memory module or other product.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, clamshell package 10 is shown in a closed position where first portion 12 is adjacent to second portion 14. Second portion 14 is rotated relative to first portion 12 about hinge 16 so that flanges 20 and 28 are positioned adjacent to each other. As flanges 20 and 28 are positioned adjacent to each other, tabs 22 on first portion 12 align with tabs 30 on second portion 14 and connecting members 24 on first portion 12 engage with connecting members 32 on second portion 14. Raised product receptacle 26 is inserted into recessed product receptacle 18 to form a container that secures a product 40 therewithin.

Once connecting members 24 and 32 are engaged, the engaged members are permanently interconnected so that they can not be separated from each other. Thus, connecting members 24 and 32 form a secure, irreversible interlock between first portion 12 and second portion 14. Connecting members 24 and 32 are illustrated as crush points, or crush rivets, that are interconnected by plastically deforming the engaged members. In other embodiments, tabs 22 and 30 may be irreversibly connected to each other by other connecting means, such as adhesives, heat sealing, mechanical rivets, or other fasteners.

As described above, receptacles 18 and 26 are aligned to form a container or other means for receiving a product. Clamshell package 10 is preferably constructed from a moldable plastic material having a stiffness that prevents removal of the product from the closed package. The moldable plastic material also provides sufficient material properties that enable the irreversible connections between connecting members 24 and 32. Thus, products disposed within the container can not be removed without separating first portion 12 from second portion 14.

Package 10 is opened by removing tabs 22 and 30 from their respective flanges, as shown in FIG. 5. Once tabs 22 and 30 have been removed, first portion 12 can be separated from second portion 14. Tabs 22 and 30 are removed from their respective flanges by tearing along perforations 34 to permanently remove the tabs from their flanges. Once removed, tabs 22 and 30 can not be reconnected to the flanges. Because the tabs are irreversibly separable, it will be easy to tell if package 10 has been opened as the tabs will be removed.

In certain embodiments, only one of tabs 22 or 30 may be irreversibly separable from its flange while the other tab is permanently attached. In this embodiment, the irreversibly separable tab would separate from its flange while the permanently attached tab would remain attached to its flange.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. For example, the tamper resistant and other security features described herein may be applied to other types of packaging systems used for other types of products. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications. 

1. A clamshell package, comprising: a first portion comprising a first flange partially surrounding a first product receptacle; a first connecting member connected to the first flange; a second portion comprising a second flange; and a second connecting member connected to and irreversibly separable from the second flange; wherein said first connecting member irreversibly connects to said second connecting member when the first flange is disposed adjacent to the second flange.
 2. The clamshell package of claim 1, wherein said second portion further comprises a second product receptacle.
 3. The clamshell package of claim 2, wherein the first and second product receptacles are aligned when the first flange is disposed adjacent to the second flange.
 4. The clamshell package of claim 1, wherein said first connecting member is connected to and irreversibly separable from the first flange.
 5. The clamshell package of claim 4, wherein said first and second connecting members are connected to and irreversibly separable from the first and second flanges, respectively, by perforations.
 6. The clamshell package of claim 1, wherein said first and second connecting members are interlocking crush points.
 7. The clamshell package of claim 1, wherein said first and second portions are constructed from a material having a stiffness that prevents the removal of a product from the first product receptacle when the first flange is disposed adjacent to the second flange.
 8. The clamshell package of claim 1 further comprising a memory module disposed within the first product receptacle.
 9. A clamshell package comprising: a first portion comprising a first flange; a second portion comprising a second flange, wherein a product container is formed when the first flange is disposed adjacent to the second flange; a first tab connected to and irreversibly separable from the first flange; a first connecting member that irreversibly connects said first tab to said second portion when the first flange is adjacent to the second flange.
 10. The clamshell package of claim 9, wherein the first flange partially surrounds a first product receptacle.
 11. The clamshell package of claim 10, wherein the second flange partially surrounds a second product receptacle.
 12. The clamshell package of claim 11, wherein the first and second product receptacles form a product container when the first flange is disposed adjacent to the second flange.
 13. The clamshell package of claim 12, further comprising a memory module disposed within the product container.
 14. The clamshell package of claim 9, wherein said first connecting member is disposed on the first tab.
 15. The clamshell package of claim 14, further comprising a second connecting member disposed on a second tab that is connected to and irreversibly separable from the second flange.
 16. The clamshell package of claim 15, wherein the first and second connecting members irreversibly connect to each other.
 17. The clamshell package of claim 16, wherein said first and second connecting members are interlocking crush points.
 18. The clamshell package of claim 15, wherein said first and second tabs are connected to and irreversibly separable from the first and second flanges, respectively, by perforations.
 19. The clamshell package of claim 9, wherein said first and second portions are constructed from a material having a stiffness that prevents the removal of a product from the product container once the first connecting member connects said first tab to said second portion unless said first tab is irreversibly separated from the first flange.
 20. A clamshell package comprising: means for receiving a product within a product container formed between a first and second portion of a clamshell package; means for irreversibly connecting the first portion of the package to the second portion of the package such that the product can not be removed from the container; and means for disconnecting the first portion of the package from the second portion of the package by irreversibly separating said means for irreversibly connecting from the first or second portion. 